GOKYO LAKES AND GOKYO RI TO EVEREST BASE CAMP ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley.
Day 3: Drive Kathmandu (1,310m) - Rammechap . Flight to Lukla (2,840m). Trek to Phakding (2,610m).
Our early morning starts with a 02h00 drive to Rammechap to catch the flight into Lukla - is a lifetime experience, in itself. The airfield is on a slope and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 460 meters! You will land on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After meeting with guides and porters and a short break for tea we hike away from Lukla towards Everest base camp for a few hours along the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding 2,610m. Once you have trekked through the small village of Ghat (2550m), Phakding is a short walk away.
Day-4: Phakding (2,610m) Namche bazaar (3,440m).
After leaving the village of Phakding the path takes us through a magnificent forest of rhododendron, magnolia trees and giant fir trees alongside the Dhud-Kosi river through small villages like Bekar and Monju. You will crisscross over the river a few times on high suspension bridges until you eventually come to the Sagarmatha Check Point where your permits need to be checked. The climb then starts with a downhill trek to the river and then all the way back up again to Namche. The trail heads up through blue pine forests and as you climb there are rhododendron trees which bloom in Spring time. Namche is the largest Sherpa village and is the unofficial capital of the Khumbu, gateway to the high Himalayas. This relatively small town is a bustling tourist zone and trading hub literally perched on a sloping hill. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, from Thamserku to Kongde Ri. Trekkers heading to Mt. Everest, Gokyo, Island Peak and many other destinations for both trekking and expedition, have at least two nights stopover in Namche to acclimatise.
Day-5: Namche bazaar (acclimatisation 3,440 m)
We will spend time here on short treks to acclimatise. Although it says acclimatisation, this means you need to walk for the principle of climb high and sleep low, meaning we gain altitude, then descend again to sleep low, enabling our bodies to better adjust to the altitude before we continue our ascent. A slow and steady pace with adequate time for acclimatisation is key to a successful trek. So we hike up to Everest View hotel for just that, a view of Mt Everest, assuming the weather is clear.
Day-6 Namche (3,440m) Khumjung (3,790).
Our hike is moderately easy and very pretty, as we head to the Sherpa village of Khumjung where Sir Edmund Hillary established his first school and hospital.
Day-7 Khumjung (3,790m) Dole (4,200m). (4hours)
We now break away from the main trail to Mt. Everest, climb high on a ridge and then descend to the village of Phortse. From Phortse the trail leads through forests to Dole.
Day-8 Dole (4,200m) Machhermo (4,410m). (3-4hours)
This morning we head on a steep but beautiful climb through pine, fir and rhododendron forests to Lhabama and Luza, before we arrive at Machhermo (4410m). The settlements of Lhabama and Luza, are temporary high altitude villages where the herders live when they bring their cattle up to high summer pastures during the warmer months.
Day-9: Acclimatisation or optional hikes.
Day-10: Machhermo (4,410m) - Gokyo (Third Lake at 4,750m). (7hours)
Our first day at high altitude will be upon us. The valley opens wide as the trail passes through Pangkha. The climb to the first of the lakes is steep but the trail levels off towards the second lake at 4750 meters.
Day-11: Everest Gokyo (4,750m)
Leisure Time to explore the area around the Gokyo lakes or rest, or hike up the ridge above the camp for spectacular views of the Everest trinity: Nuptse 7879 m, Lhotse 8511 m, and Everest 8848 m, as well as Makalu 8463 m looming to the east and Cho Oyu (8153 m.) to the north.
Day-12: Trek to Cho La (5,169m)
This will be the longest and hardest of the Gokyo Lakes Trek. The trail crosses the southern portion of the Ngozumpa Glacier then climbs steadily to a campsite on the 5169m Cho La Pass.
Day-13: Cross Cho La (5,420m). Trek to Dzongla (4,730m)
A steep and challenging climb awaits us, as we head over rock, snow and perhaps ice with superb views of the glacial valleys of Cho Oyu and Everest. Camp will be at Dzongla
Day-14: Trek to Lobuche (4,930m)
Day 15: Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,140m) to Everest Base (6-8 hrs).
Our distance is quite far as we walk past Gorekshep and continue to base camp Everest itself. We then retrace our steps from base camp to Gorek Shep for our night stop. If there is a chance of clear weather in the afternoon though we may ascend Kala Patthar instead and watch the sunset, though what we do will be a decision with the group and guide. Overnight Lodge.
Day 16: Hike up to Kala Patthar (5,545m) return to Dingboche
Day 17: Dingboche to Tengboche (3,860m)
We have a relatively easy walk along the Imja Khola with a visit to the Gompa at Pangboche, before climb up to Tengboche Monastery.
Day 18: Tengboche to Namche (3,440m)
Today we head down a long steep descent and then ascent up the right flank of the Dudh Kosi valley to reach Namche Bazaar.
Day-19: Trek Namche to Phakding (2,610m). (3-4 hours).
We trek down along the gorge of the Dudh Kosi to the small village of Phakding.
Day-20: Phakding to Lukla (2,840m) (3 hrs).
Trek further to the mountain airstrip at Lukla to catch your return flight to Kathmandu. Weather permitting your trekking crew might prepare a farewell treat for you. You would be expected to join in the singing and the dancing!
Day-22: Flight: Lukla - Rammechap. Drive to Kathmandu (1,310m). Hotel Overnight.
Day-22: Free at leisure
Day-23: Final Departure.
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